zigzag
Back and forth
Zigzag describes a path or pattern of sharp alternating turns—angling left, then right, then left again.
The word works as noun, verb, adjective, and adverb: a zigzag pattern, The road zigzags up the mountain, She ran zigzag across the field.
Lightning bolts, mountain switchbacks, and evasive maneuvers all zigzag.
Interlace strands into fabric
- swerveAbrupt directional change
- veerChange course suddenly
- slalomSki race through gates
- snakeLimbless scaled reptile
dodge · jink · sidestep · oscillate · wobble · meander · wind · twist
V-shaped line or symbol
- herringboneV-shaped diagonal weave
- stripeContrasting linear marking
- geometricRelating to mathematical shapes
- motifRecurring thematic element
tessellation · wave · repetition · sequence · symmetry · interlock · maze · labyrinth
Reversing mountain path
- hairpinU-shaped fastener for tresses
- serpentineCurving in repeated bends
- windingCurving repeatedly, sinuous
- meanderingFollowing a winding course
tortuous · crooked · indirect · roundabout · circuitous · detour · traverse · trail
Threaded rod for nuts
- flashBrief burst of light
- streakUnbroken series
- jaggedSharply uneven, notched
- forkedDivided into prongs
electrical · thunder · strike · crack · sky · storm · plasma · discharge
Cannot be anticipated
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- inconsistentLacking steady uniformity
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- variableProne to fluctuation
fluctuating · volatile · chaotic · random · unsteady · uneven · jerky · halting
Craft with needle and thread
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
- overlockEdge-binding stitch
- sergerEdge-finishing sewing machine
- hemmingSewing a fabric edge
needlework · pinking · blanket stitch · featherstitch · applique · mending · seam · fabric edge
weave
Interlace strands into fabric
snake · dodge · jink · sidestep · oscillate · wobble · meander · wind · twist · turn
chevron
V-shaped line or symbol
- herringboneV-shaped diagonal weave
- stripeContrasting linear marking
- geometricRelating to mathematical shapes
motif · tessellation · wave · repetition · sequence · symmetry · interlock · maze · labyrinth · meander
switchback
Reversing mountain path
- hairpinU-shaped fastener for tresses
- serpentineCurving in repeated bends
- windingCurving repeatedly, sinuous
meandering · tortuous · crooked · indirect · roundabout · circuitous · detour · traverse · trail · scenic drive
bolt
Threaded rod for nuts
forked · electrical · thunder · strike · crack · sky · storm · plasma · discharge
unpredictable
Cannot be anticipated
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- inconsistentLacking steady uniformity
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
variable · fluctuating · volatile · chaotic · random · unsteady · uneven · jerky · halting · fitful
sewing
Craft with needle and thread
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
- overlockEdge-binding stitch
- sergerEdge-finishing sewing machine
hemming · needlework · pinking · blanket stitch · featherstitch · applique · mending · seam · fabric edge · finishing
- patternspattern, chevron, geometric pattern, stripes, plaid
- linesstraight line, line, dotted line, dashed line, solid line
- Reduplicativesbye-bye, mama, papa, haha, yo-yo
- rhyming reduplicativesflip flop, hip hop, tip top, ping pong, ding dong
- zigzagschevron, sawtooth, jagged line, switchback, hairpin turn
- data patternstrend, spike, outlier, cluster, gap
zigzagstraight
Not curved or crooked
linear · straight line · direct · arrow-straight · beeline
zigzagdirect
Undeviating or to guide
straightforward · beeline · shortest path · as the crow flies · point-to-point
zigzagcurve
Smooth, angleless line
arc · sinuous · serpentine · wavy · undulating
- zigzag patternSeries of sharp turns
- zigzag stitchAngled sewing pattern
- zigzag lineSeries of angular turns